By Kathy Gallant

La Loche coping after fire destroys local grocery store

Apr 27, 2018 | 5:00 PM

After a fire ripped through the Northern Food Store in La Loche, local residents will be able to get grocery items at another location in the village.

During the evening hours of Tuesday, April 24 flames destroyed the 5,500 square foot grocery store. The local volunteer fire department reacted quickly, and over 20 personnel were on site assisting with the blaze, according to Fire Chief Derek Herman. The fire was extinguished early the next day, but members were still dousing hot spots well into the morning hours on April 25.

In a media release from The North West Company, Michael Beaulieu, vice president of sales and operations said their nearby 13,800 square foot general merchandise store and pharmacy will soon be set up to sell groceries.

“We plan to modify this location in the coming days to accommodate a large assortment of the grocery items previously offered at the food store,” he said. “We have served the community for many years and we will continue to provide our customers with everyday essential groceries and services.”

La Loche Mayor Robert St. Pierre said the news of the fire was definitely a blow to the community, but said he was thankful for the fast response from The North West Company.

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“By the next day they already had a plan in place,” he said. “They’re executing that plan, they’ve got things in motion, so things are really progressing.”

St. Pierre also commended the volunteer fire department for battling the flames at the store throughout the night and into the next day.

Beaulieu echoed St. Pierre’s thoughts on the response of the local fire department.

“We thank the first responders for their efforts in controlling the fire,” Beaulieu said. “[We] are grateful all of our employees and customers are safe.”

As of this morning, fire chief Herman said The North West Company is conducting its own investigation into the cause of the fire. In addition, St. Pierre said Beaulieu is in the community to help coordinate the store’s relocation efforts.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath